Madison Messenger - July 4th, 2021

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opinions & columns
July 4, 2021 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 5
Please, do not top trees
A mature shade tree is an entire balanced
ecosystem, all in one very attractive
package. The roots and branches grow and
spread in beautiful harmony. The roots support
the tree physically and send water and
minerals to the farthest leaf on the tallest
branch. The leaves, in turn, manufacture
starches through photosynthesis, providing
energy to expand the root system and power
the entire cycle. The tree continues this balanced
cycle throughout its life. A tree is either
growing or it is dying.
Anything that causes damage to the tree
will disrupt that harmony and send shock
waves throughout the system. If the damage
is not too severe, the tree will try to heal
over the damaged area and reach a new
equilibrium. It will often continue to live a
long, healthy life after overcoming such an
event. These trees often have a beautifully
imperfect shape.
Topping is the practice of removing many
large branches in an attempt to limit a
tree’s size. It causes shock and damage that
cannot be repaired. When the canopy is severely
reduced by the removal of many large
limbs, there is no longer sufficient leaf cover
to sufficiently support the root system. The
root system starves and will shrink in size,
reducing critical support for the tree. Additionally,
the many open wounds created by
the cuts are an invitation to fungal disease,
insects, and decay.
Regular tree limbs grow slowly over
years and are attached to the parent branch
by a band of tissue that increases in girth
and strength every year as the limb grows.
After topping, the tree tries desperately to
establish a new equilibrium. In order to produce
new leaves quickly, the tree will send
up many long vertical sprouts from just
below the cut edges. The new sprouts are an
attempt by the tree to reestablish the
canopy it desperately needs to survive.
These shoots are thin and weakly attached
to the tree limb and many will break in a
strong wind. The new shoots grow so rapidly
the tree usually reaches its original
height in just a few years but the shape of
the tree has been destroyed. In addition,
due to the lack of leaves and the resulting
reduction in photosynthesis, the tree will
lose a portion of its root system and a similar
share of its physical stability.
Quite often, in a few years, the tree will
succumb to disease or to high winds because
the root system has shrunk, reducing stability.
Because it has been a few years since
the tree was topped, the death of the tree
will be attributed to other causes, or the
homeowner may feel vindicated because
they were certain the tree was going to fall
eventually. Even if the tree continues for 10
or more years, it will never achieve the lifespan
it should have enjoyed. The trauma is
ask a master gardener
Puzzle solution
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Jane Kutzley
just too great. Some trees, such as beech,
will not tolerate topping and will usually
succumb within a growing season.
Judicious, thoughtful pruning of a large
tree is the much better alternative. Secondary
branches are selectively removed, the
tree’s shape and integrity are maintained,
the canopy is opened up so wind and sun
can pass through, and the tree recovers
quickly from a far less traumatic event.
Pruning should only remove between a
quarter to a third of the canopy and should
be scheduled every three to five years. A
reputable, knowledgeable arborist should
be used.
Sometimes, as when a large tree is
planted under power lines, there is no
choice but to top a tree. Other times, the
tree has been planted too close to a house or
drive. Consideration should instead be
given to removing the tree. The money
spent on topping would help pay for removal
and replacement with a tree that will
be more suitably sized when mature or is
better located to allow for mature size.
One last consideration: a topped tree is
visually ugly, especially for the six months
of the year when it is leafless. According to
a quick internet search, a beautiful, mature
tree will add between $1,000 and $3,000
(one source said up to $10,000) to the value
of your home. Seems a shame to throw all
those dollars into a wood chipper.
Go to www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-FAQ-14-W.pdf
to learn
more about the impact of tree topping.
Jane Kutzley is a member of the Madison
County Master Gardeners. For more information
about the Master Gardeners program, call
OSU Extension at (740) 852-0975.
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H
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then click the submit button